NEW WHEELS and an interactive whiteboard will better the lives of Trinity Disability Services 28 clients thanks to a Queensland Government grant recently announced.

It was all smiles for the Southport service after receiving $19,000 from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation Gambling Community Benefit Fund round 69.

Trinity Disability Support Service Manager Edmund McMahon said the funding enabled them to purchase a Hyundai Getz and a Hitachi Starboard interactive whiteboard.

“The vehicle will provide a safe and cost effective transport alternative for clients,” he said.

“It will assist clients to live in their own house independently while receiving support and provide greater access to things in the community, without which, could lead to social isolation.”

Edmund said the electronic teaching tool will open up the world to clients helping them develop their literacy and numeracy skills enabling multiple types of learning needs to be met.

“It will especially aid the learning process for clients with a visual impairment, kinesthetic learners and those with a sensitivity to sound generating an overall greater productive learning environment.”

Gold Coast City Councillor Division 6 Dawn Crichlow said she was delighted Trinity could benefit from the funding pool.

“Trinity has been a part of the Gold Coast for so long and I think it is great they really deserve this grant,” Cr Crichlow said.

“We need more community transport on the Gold Coast so people can treat it as if it’s their own transport and get to their specialist appointments on time.

“It’s also so important we look after our people with visual impairments and intellectual disabilities as we are such a fast moving city now with close to 600,000 which can put them at risk.”

Peter is one of Trinity’s clients with a mild to moderate intellectual disability who will reap the benefits of the grant. 

“It’s great!” said Peter, who enjoys his volunteer work at the Animal Welfare League as well as needing support with his grocery shopping, all of which the new vehicle will help facilitate as Trinity supports him with his community access.

Applications for round 69 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund closed on 31 May and Trinity were one of about 490 recipients.